AIUS South Australia

About the Institute

The Australian Institute of Urban Studies (AIUS) is an independent non-profit organization offering many opportunities for members to participate in the ongoing debate about urban affairs in Australia. It carries out research and arranges seminars and workshops and conferences. These are often focused on the research undertaken in an endeavour to raise awareness about the planning, development and management of sustainable cities, including issues relating to urban design, the social fabric, culture and urban infrastructure. Numerous research reports and collections of seminar papers have been published. AIUS also occasionally lobbies government.

The Institute was founded in 1967 through the initiative of the then Australian Planning Institute and the Social Science Research Council
The Institute is supported by membership subscriptions and by occasional grants from government and other sources. The Institute's primary resource, though, is the rich diversity of its members and the rewarding personal and corporate interactions which this generates.
AIUS is this country's only widely representative non-partisan, multi-disciplinary, national organization that deals with a full spectrum of urban issues.
Membership is open to all who have an interest in, and concern for, the future of our cities and towns; and typically includes individuals and organizations from government, the private sector, academia, the urban professions and conservation interests.

History of AIUS
The Australian Institute of Urban Studies was founded in 1967 through the initiative of the Australian Planning Institute and the Social Science Research Council. The AIUS is an independent non-profit organisation concerned with all aspects of urban affairs.

Members comprise of representatives of federal, state and local government, a wide cross-section of the private sector, academic institutions and cover all the urban professions.

The Institute is supported by membership subscription and by occasional grants from government and related industry. The Institute's primary resource though is the rich diversity of it's members, and the rewarding personal and corporate interactions which this generates.

The AIUS is this country's only widely representative, non-partisan, multi-disciplinary national organisation that deals with such a wide rage of urban affairs.

The Institute has a significant publishing record. Since 1970, AIUS has completed and published over 100 research reports. In addition it has published numerous collections of seminar and conference papers. AIUS also publishes a quarterly journal titled, Australian Urban Studies.

The emphasis for membership is on the opportunity to participate in Institute affairs- on committee working groups, in workshops, seminars and conferences and on research projects.

Objectives of the Institute
To encourage, promote and undertake practical, action-oriented research into all aspects of urban affairs.
To disseminate authoritative information and publicise and stimulate awareness of urban issues.
To promote the quality and efficiency of life in Australia's cities and towns
To give independent advice to all levels of government on urban issues.
To evaluate the implications of public policies and practices for urban areas and their inhabitants.
To co-operate with other organizations with an interest in areas related to those concerning the institute.

Activities
AIUS has divisions in South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. As a member of the Institute you can become a valuable part of this network, and will be able to actively participate in Divisional activities.
Activities include:

regular meetings with local, national and international speakers on urban issues
workshops, seminars and conferences
ad hoc study groups to advise State and local government on urban affairs
research in regard to State and local urban problems and topics of concern
opportunities to meet on regular occasions with a diverse group of urban practitioners, researchers and government officials concerned with urban affairs.